Tag: support

In the 19th century, doctors were likely to write off most symptoms women suffered as hysteria, “exaggerated emotion or excitement.” Less has changed from those days than you might think. Sexism of our society still profoundly influences how women with chronic illness are treated by their doctors and their friends, family, and colleagues. My…

People with chronic illnesses need all the support they can get- especially from their family. Here are some tips for truly supporting them. 1. Don’t Just Support Strangers, Support Your Family Most of my family are generous caring people- especially towards strangers. I regularly see them support children they don’t know and throw fundraisers for…

I’ve had so many terrible things said to me because of my chronic illness. “It is your fault you feel like this.” “If you try hard enough/ do more you won’t still be sick.” “If you just prayed harder god wouldn’t still let you be sick.” Needless to say, chronic illness has made for a difficult…

Dear Healthy People, There are a lot of articles out there about what you should stop saying to sick people. Here are some things healthy people need to think about before they say because they are hurtful. Please stop saying and doing the following. You are being insensitive and ignorant. I try so hard to…

When my parents dropped me off for my first day of camp when I was five they expected it to be tough. It was tough, but just for them. I was ready to leave and meet new people and to be on my own. When my dad came to visit me at lunch I even…

Dear Supporters of a Person Who Is Chronically Ill, Today I want to give up. It happens every once in a while. Chronic pain is a fight you never get breaks from. It is all day every day, and lately for me it has been all night every night. Pain and lack of sleep have…

There are many experiences common to every human. Most of us will go through these, so we can easily relate and empathize. Nearly everyone is affected by the common cold. Therefore, when someone says they have a cold it is easier be understanding and supportive. Memories of soup, towers of tissues, and feeling miserable immediately come to mind….

Medical marijuana is a hugely controversial topic, but it doesn’t need to be. Current research is biased towards finding the dangers of marijuana instead of looking at possible medical use. Researchers who have studied cannabis have found many uses for marijuana (in adults).

Earlier today a discussion regarding Gardasil began in a support group I am a member of. Many people are claiming that Gardasil, the HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccination, caused their POTS. As a result of the discussion, I began to some research of my own into these claims. The cause of POTS is primarily unknown….

Support groups are wonderful for those of us with illnesses others just don’t get. No one outside the POTS community thinks jokes about fainting, salt, or compression stockings are funny. No one else can relate to the mortifying events like fainting during sex. Groups on Facebook can be great and convenient, but also hostile and…